Dear members,

On May 25, the World Health Assembly, which is the governing organ of the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the new version of the International Classification of diseases (ICD-11). This means that, beginning in 2022, the new diagnoses will come into effect.

What is new in the ICD-11? For the first time, the ICD-11 contains a classification dedicated to chronic pain. This new classification provides specific pain diagnoses. The classification was developed by an international task force of pain specialists from the International
Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).

Why is this important? The ICD is important for a number of things, for example, diagnoses, treatment choice, research, policy decisions, and
healthcare reimbursements. It is hoped that the new classification of chronic pain will improve access to adequate pain treatment, motivate
researchers to find out more about chronic pain, and facilitate talking about chronic pain. Furthermore, the ICD-11 classification of chronic
pain will make chronic pain more visible.

How can you help? We are very interested to learn what patients with chronic pain think about this new ICD-11 classification of chronic pain.
Therefore, a research team at the University of Marburg (Germany) is conducting a patient survey. Patients who have had chronic pain for 3
months or more can participate in the survey. The survey is endorsed by the Pain Alliance Europe (PAE). Participation takes about 15 minutes.
Data are collected anonymously. All questions are in English. The survey includes a brief video that gives an overview of the new classification.
The survey will be online until the end of July, so we only have one week left.

This is the link to the survey: https://www.unipark.de/uc/icd11/

Who are we? The survey is conducted by a research team at the University of Marburg, Germany. Dr. Antonia Barke and I are the investigators. If you have any questions regarding the survey or the new ICD-11 classification of chronic pain, please contact me
(beatrice.korwisi@staff.uni-marburg.de).

Thank you for your help with this important project! We highly appreciate your efforts and assistance in distributing the survey. The
patients’ perspective on the new chronic pain diagnoses is very important to us.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this survey, please contact the investigators at the University of Marburg, Germany:

Beatrice Korwisi, M. Sc.
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
University of Marburg
Gutenbergstr. 18
35032 Marburg, Germany
Phone: +49-(0)6241-2824048
E-Mail: beatrice.korwisi@staff.uni-marburg.de

Kind regards,